It is not a secret that eco-friendly materials have become increasingly important in today’s retail market, both to brands and to consumers.
Incredibly, the global sustainable plastic packaging market is predicted to grow by almost $30 billion between now and 2025, partly due to new laws and regulations, but also because consumer demand is shifting to more eco-friendly concerns. Brands keen to keep ahead are responding accordingly.
So, let’s explore this growing trend, for reasons both altruistic and expedient; here are are the benefits of sustainable packaging to your business.
Reduce Necessity For Recycling & Your Company’s Carbon Footprint
You can significantly reduce your business’ carbon footprint by using sustainable packaging instead of single use plastic and other options that may not respond favourably to recycling.
In fact, implementing effective recycling systems is essential to ensure your business keeps its environmental impact to a minimum. Single-use plastics, in particular, are a major environmental issue, contributing to overflowing landfill and polluting our rivers and oceans. Effective recycling of plastic waste helps to reduce this problem.
Reduce Shipping Fees
The evolution of sustainable packaging in the fast food and fashion industries – whether that’s custom rigid boxes or collapsible takeaway tubs – has been particularly promising. Interestingly, these industries’ reasons for switching to eco-friendly packaging isn’t only about image; it may actually save on costs, too.
Sure, they might be working towards a zero-waste strategy, but the savings made on reduced shipping fees also makes sustainable packaging a sensible choice.
Since the cost of food and fashion has increased in most countries, it is expedient for these companies to minimise the cost of other production units as much as possible. In a fascinating case study discussed in Industry Week Magazine, it was reported that a ‘’a global leader in computer hardware and accessories was able to realize a savings of more than $500,000 in packaging and eliminated 99,183 pounds of packaging on 4.3 million products shipped.’’
This is an excellent example of why being more nimble as a company in changing to sustainable packaging can have tangible benefits for your business.
Appeal To Target Audience
The modern day consumer cares deeply about the environment, and one of the most material ways this can be realised (and exploited) by a company is through sustainable packaging which is clear and obvious in its green credentials.
Packaging Strategies report that ‘’75% of international consumers would pay more for sustainable packaging.’’ To promote brand loyalty and increase profit margin, this one really is a no brainer.
Showcase Your Values & Corporate Social Responsibility
A brand’s reputation and image is more important than ever in the era of social media. To ensure that your company wears its values and corporate social responsibility on its sleeve for all to see, it’s essential that your brand has tangible evidence of its green credentials.
Sustainable packaging is one such way to demonstrate this, and in doing so, you’ll improve customer loyalty in a market increasingly keen to prioritise eco-conscious companies.
Usher In New Technologies In The Sustainability Sector
Companies can use advances in sustainable packaging to usher in greater awareness and use of such packaging, in doing so, showing themselves to be market leaders and influencers.
Sustainability plays a long-term role for everyone, serving the next generation, which has got to be a good thing, right?
